Logo of Worldfish

Solicitation to strengthen market linkages to increase availability of quality fish seeds, feeds and other services in Cox's Bazar district and Bandarban district

Background

Feed the Future Bangladesh Aquaculture and Nutrition Activity (BAA) is a five-year project of USAID with the objective of improving nutrition and livelihoods through catalyzing sustained growth in the aquaculture sector.  BAA works in 21 districts of southwestern Bangladesh and 2 districts in the southeast.

Aquaculture farmers in Cox’s Bazar and Bandarban have limited access to information, connectivity to markets, and limited knowledge of appropriate aquaculture technologies that are suitable to their farming systems. Aquaculture pond production is reported as lowest (2.4 MT/hectare) in Cox’s Bazar district compared to national average production (4.96 MT/hectare) (DOF, 2019). Market actors in aquaculture value chains, such as fingerling traders (patilwala), nursery operators, carp hatchery operations, and feed dealers are weakly represented in this district, leading to poor availability of quality seeds, feeds and other aqua-inputs in a distribution network that reaches down to village level. Local actors have insufficient knowledge and skills required to perform as Local Service Providers (LSPs) that could bridge the last-mile gap in connectivity, and provide access to the necessary goods and services that are essential for farmers to develop profitable aqua-businesses.

WorldFish recognize the risks involved in starting a new LSP / Agency network and for this reason we are seeking through the Bangladesh Aquaculture Activity (BAA) to share some financial risk to build partnerships with private sector for co-creation activities focused on developing the capacity of existing selected LSPs to engage in profitable micro-businesses, providing additional services and information to fish farmers alongside linking farmers with backward and forward markets, and coordinate with them in Cox’s Bazar and Bandarban district. We are also keen to support the development of new networks of LSP’s/agents to help expand reach into rural areas and connect the last mile distribution and provision of advice. The successful partner (s) will promote and disseminate improved aquaculture business opportunities to pond fish farmers through LSPs, who, in turn will establish or enhance profitable businesses providing access to inputs and markets. The partner will therefore develop strategy to provide the information, services to farmers through LSPs and generate revenue for LSPs by improving their own sales and income.


Objective

BAA is looking for implementing partner (s) such as private organizations (NGOs or private companies) to build the capacity of existing and/or develop new LSPs and help the farmers with a range of training, service and assistance through this LSP model.      

 Scope of work

The selected partner will present a business model and implementation strategy to ensure capacity building through training of existing and/or new networks of LSPs, who will then provide a strong channel for access to information, inputs, and markets for smallholder aquafarmers.   The business model would also include the process of establishing/strengthening market linkages between LSPs and market actors.

This model will have a clear and realistic incentive structure for the LSPs to ensure profitability. The LSPs are expected to develop an in-house ‘aquaculture expert’ to provide technical services to farmers and provide water testing. The trained LSPs must then be in a position to continue to provide linkage to farmers and other actors with access to information, inputs and markets beyond the contract period, and without further external support.

Key Deliverables

  • Reports and documents needed to be delivered using BAA approved templates- 
  • Detailed profiles of all LSPs for existing networks and or a plan to develop a new network.
  • A sustainable business model for the LSPs. 
  • Detail of communication and business promotional tools.
  • Capacity building and linkages
  • Building capacity of existing and/or new LSPs to create strong mutually beneficial business channels, leveraging on the provision of information on better management practices for their farmer customers.
  • Strengthen linkages and channels with the relevant aquaculture stakeholders.
  • Ensure a sustainable route for access to finance for LSPs to facilitate their profitable trading by linking the trained LSPs to sources of affordable credit.

Who can apply?

Only qualified applicants should apply. "Qualified" means an established organization such as an NGO or private sector entity with a track record in working in aquaculture or similar sector.
Applicants may fall into either of two categories;

  • Private sector entities wishing to strengthen their access to the currently underdeveloped aquaculture markets in the Cox’s Bazaar and Bandarban area. In this case, potential proposals will need to incorporate a significant cost sharing component, and look to match funds provided by USAID through BAA. This combined resource can then be used to access existing and/or new LSPs with capacity building activities.
  • NGOs or other local organizations (eg. CBO) who already have access to networks of LSPs, and who can enhance the business opportunities of these entities to reach aquafarmers and other market actors with access to information and inputs. In this case, less emphasis will be put on the ability of the selected NGO/local organization to contribute to costs.

Required documentation

If selected for the award, the partner will be required to show:

  • A certificate of incorporation (for individual companies, a trade license);
  • Joint-stock registration certificate (if applicable);
  • An organizational organogram of key personnel, inclusive of the names of such personnel;
  • Tax Identification Number (TIN);
  • VAT registration number;
  • Proof of a segregated account (providing the name and address of such an account);
  • Other valid papers (provided by government institutions).
  • The consulting firm must bear all annual income tax (AIT).
  • The percentage of VAT and the total amount of VAT should be mentioned in the proposal.

Submission details

Interested parties should submit an inquiry on the attached form or on before December 18, 2021 via email to @wfbanaproject@cgiar.org mentioning the title of RFP/solicitation in the subject line.

Download Form